this is how the munchkin's hair looked with her 3 strand twist pigtails:
Monday, January 26, 2009
3 strand twists
due to a recent thread on the 4a board at naturallycurly.com, i was inspired to try 3 strand twists on the munchkin. i remeber doing these on my friends' hair back in the day, so i didnt need to watcha tutorial, but here is my favorite tutorial:
this is how the munchkin's hair looked with her 3 strand twist pigtails:
this is how the munchkin's hair looked with her 3 strand twist pigtails:
perfect curl products: kinky curly
my little girl had an awesome hair day using kinky curly knot today conditioner and kinky curly curling custard.
here are product descriptions of both products directly from the website (kinky-curly.com):
i got a little envious of my daughter's awesome hair day so i figured id give the knot today and curling custard a try. ive used the curling custard several years ago, and really liked it. but i never repurchased because i found fantasia ic gel w sparkelites (its cheaper and i felt like i had similar results).
for my 3c coils, i started with clean wet hair and raked the knot today through. no comb. then, i parted my hair in three sections, from ear to ear. starting at the bottom section, i raked the curling custard through with my fingers once again, and braided the section of hair. i did this until all 3 sectoins were braided. after about 5-10 minutes i released the braids. this modified braid out helps clump my curls together more. after unbraiding i usually shake my head a bit because i like fuller hair. i try not to touch it too much, if at all, because the hair is still wet and i dont want excess frizz. once my hair dried, i wasnt sure if i liked the results. i definietly need more moisture than what the knot today seems to be able to deliver. my hair felt kind of dry. in the past ive used the curling custard on top of a heavier conditoiner (elucence moisture balancing conditioner) and my hair didnt feel as dry. i was also pretty haphazard with my application because i wanted a more voluminous look, which i got. here are my results:
im going to revist the curling custard one last time to see if i can get the amazing results i had in years past, but i will say farewell to the knot today (for myself, not for my daughter). i would love to try the rest of the product line, but i'll have to save up my pennies before that happens :)
here are product descriptions of both products directly from the website (kinky-curly.com):
KNOT TODAY TM is a creamy herbal conditioner and detangler designed to smooth the cuticle and remove knots, snarls and tangles from thick curly textured hair.After washing hair, apply KNOT TODAY TM generously and work through troubled areas with a wide tooth comb.Can be used as a regular rinse out conditioner for wavy hair or as a leave-in for thicker curlier hair types.An excellent product to use after removing braids and extensions.**TIP- When using this product as a leave-in, apply in the shower and rinse with a little water to evenly distribute the conditioner.
CURLING CUSTARD TM gives moisture and curl definition, hold and brilliant shiny hair!You get Moisture + Hold + Shine in one product!An all in one product which will simplify the styling process!This high performance product is very concentrated so a little goes a long way. It reduces bulk, defines & elongates your curls helping them to 'hang' better. CURLING CUSTARD TM will bring out the natural curl or wave pattern you never knew you had!It is an advanced botanical formula made with ALL NATURAL ingredients that nourish and strengthen the hair.Utilizing the humectant properties of the Agave Nectar, CURLING CUSTARD TM will give weight to your hair, define your curls, remove frizz, provide long lasting hold and shine without ever being greasy, crunchy or drying to your hair..**TIP- This product is designed to work alone but ultimate curl definition and length can be achieved when used with KNOT TODAY TM as a leave in conditioner.For best results apply CURLING CUSTARD TM to soaking wet, freshly washed hair.For very kinky and tightly coiled hair use KNOT TODAY TM as a leave-in conditioner then apply CURLING CUSTARD TM to soaking wet hair in small sections. Smooth each section with fingers from root to tip.
ive never used knot today as a rinse out conditioner, and until i started typing this post, had no clue that you could even use it as a rinse out conditioner! ive always used it as a leave in for the munchkin and her 3a/b curls with great results, as you can see below. to achieve this look i started with clean wet hair and applied the knot today conditioner. i combed it through to make sure it was evenly distributed. next, i took a small dab of the curling custard (too much will make the hair crunchy) and rubbed it in my hands and raked it through her hair with my fingers only--no comb. then we air dried.
i got a little envious of my daughter's awesome hair day so i figured id give the knot today and curling custard a try. ive used the curling custard several years ago, and really liked it. but i never repurchased because i found fantasia ic gel w sparkelites (its cheaper and i felt like i had similar results).
for my 3c coils, i started with clean wet hair and raked the knot today through. no comb. then, i parted my hair in three sections, from ear to ear. starting at the bottom section, i raked the curling custard through with my fingers once again, and braided the section of hair. i did this until all 3 sectoins were braided. after about 5-10 minutes i released the braids. this modified braid out helps clump my curls together more. after unbraiding i usually shake my head a bit because i like fuller hair. i try not to touch it too much, if at all, because the hair is still wet and i dont want excess frizz. once my hair dried, i wasnt sure if i liked the results. i definietly need more moisture than what the knot today seems to be able to deliver. my hair felt kind of dry. in the past ive used the curling custard on top of a heavier conditoiner (elucence moisture balancing conditioner) and my hair didnt feel as dry. i was also pretty haphazard with my application because i wanted a more voluminous look, which i got. here are my results:
im going to revist the curling custard one last time to see if i can get the amazing results i had in years past, but i will say farewell to the knot today (for myself, not for my daughter). i would love to try the rest of the product line, but i'll have to save up my pennies before that happens :)
for those interested in purchasing kinky curly products, they can be bought online and in some whole foods stores. check the website to see who's selling it near you!
Tuesday, January 20, 2009
no 'poo: it will change your life!
dealing with dry, frizzy curls and waves? have you heard about the 'no poo routine (aka CG or curly girl routine)?
if you have no clue what im talking about, get ready for the best kept secret amongst curlies and wavies...
ditch your shampoo! if youve never herad of this before, then youre probably thoroughly grossed out and/or confused. so here is the extremely short explanation of why many of us are on a no 'poo routine.
most shampoos contain sodium lauryl/laureth sulfate (sls). sls is a harsh detergent which is known to strip curls and waves of much needed moisture. you know how your hands feel after you wash them with hand soap--dry, crackely, and screaming for some hand lotion? thats exactly what yor hair is going through each time you use shampoo with sls or other harsh sulfates. and as a matter of fact, the main ingredient in hand soap is, sls! the same with laundry detergent. which is why most of us have to use a fabric softener after we wash our clothes.
here are a few more articles about sls and why you should leave it alone:
http://www.hairlossbuddy.com/20/sodium-lauryl-sulfate/
http://www.healthy-communications.com/slsmostdangerousirritant.html
http://www.jasoncosmetics.com/sodium_lauryl_sulfate.html
drop the shampoo (or at least find one that is sulfate free) and give the 'no poo routine a try. follow the link for a crash course in the CG routine, courtesy of naturallycurly.com: http://www.naturallycurly.com/curlreading/curl-products/all-about-the-no-poo-routine-2
if you have no clue what im talking about, get ready for the best kept secret amongst curlies and wavies...
ditch your shampoo! if youve never herad of this before, then youre probably thoroughly grossed out and/or confused. so here is the extremely short explanation of why many of us are on a no 'poo routine.
most shampoos contain sodium lauryl/laureth sulfate (sls). sls is a harsh detergent which is known to strip curls and waves of much needed moisture. you know how your hands feel after you wash them with hand soap--dry, crackely, and screaming for some hand lotion? thats exactly what yor hair is going through each time you use shampoo with sls or other harsh sulfates. and as a matter of fact, the main ingredient in hand soap is, sls! the same with laundry detergent. which is why most of us have to use a fabric softener after we wash our clothes.
here are a few more articles about sls and why you should leave it alone:
http://www.hairlossbuddy.com/20/sodium-lauryl-sulfate/
http://www.healthy-communications.com/slsmostdangerousirritant.html
http://www.jasoncosmetics.com/sodium_lauryl_sulfate.html
drop the shampoo (or at least find one that is sulfate free) and give the 'no poo routine a try. follow the link for a crash course in the CG routine, courtesy of naturallycurly.com: http://www.naturallycurly.com/curlreading/curl-products/all-about-the-no-poo-routine-2
Monday, January 19, 2009
for the kids
running out of styling ideas for your little girl? well check out videos from kaylenasmommy at youtube. ive never seen such creative (and rather simple) hairstyles!
http://www.youtube.com/kaylenasmommy
http://www.youtube.com/kaylenasmommy
Wednesday, January 14, 2009
beauty tip: how to find the perfect nude gloss/lipstick
in the january/february 2009 issue of women's health magazine, they suggest matching your lipstick/gloss shade to the color of your gums to get the perfect nude lip...
who woulda thunk???
who woulda thunk???
Sunday, January 11, 2009
3c perfect curl technique: shingling
products and tools used: elucence moisture balancing conditioner, fantasia ic gel w/sparkelites, comb, denman d3/d4 brush, duckbill clips, ponytail holder
this technique takes a little bit more time than i would like to normally spend on my hair, but it yeilds perfectly controlled, defined curls. its a foolproof method for getting great curls. the process is very similar to the shingling method at missjessies.com (http://missjessies.com/pdf/HowTo-Dominga.pdf)
-start with wet or damp hair. since im using heavy products i like my hair to be not soaking wet because it takes even longer to dry.
- beginning at the nape of the neck, make a part from ear to ear using the comb. apply conditioner and detangle with comb.
- smooth a dab of gel over the detangled section of hair. *im much more heavy handed with the gel when im doing the back section of my hair because the texture back tere is tighter and frizzes much easier*
- using the denman, brush the section of hair. make sure you go from root to tip. if i dont start as close to the roots as possible, i get puffy roots.
- wrap ponytail holder loosely around completed section. put duckbill clip at the end of completed section. *this not only helps keep the completed sections out of yor way, but also serves to help stretch out and weigh down the curls created by the denman*
-continue this process until entire head is completed.
the product combo i used is not necessary to yeild the same reults. i do recommend using a heavy moisturizing conditioner to be able to stand up to the gel. and heavier or stronger hold gels do work best for me when i use this technique. depending on your hair's needs, you can also incorporate oils or butters to provide extra moisture or seal your ends. to cut down on drying time, a diffuser or hooded dryer can be used.
to get the most out of this style, at bedtime pull the hair into a loose ponytail at the very top of the head (aka "pineapple"). sleep on a satin pillowcase. in the morning, take down the ponytail and refresh the look with the spritz of your choice (regular old water, water/glycerine combo, leave in conditioner spray, etc).
this technique takes a little bit more time than i would like to normally spend on my hair, but it yeilds perfectly controlled, defined curls. its a foolproof method for getting great curls. the process is very similar to the shingling method at missjessies.com (http://missjessies.com/pdf/HowTo-Dominga.pdf)
-start with wet or damp hair. since im using heavy products i like my hair to be not soaking wet because it takes even longer to dry.
- beginning at the nape of the neck, make a part from ear to ear using the comb. apply conditioner and detangle with comb.
- smooth a dab of gel over the detangled section of hair. *im much more heavy handed with the gel when im doing the back section of my hair because the texture back tere is tighter and frizzes much easier*
- using the denman, brush the section of hair. make sure you go from root to tip. if i dont start as close to the roots as possible, i get puffy roots.
- wrap ponytail holder loosely around completed section. put duckbill clip at the end of completed section. *this not only helps keep the completed sections out of yor way, but also serves to help stretch out and weigh down the curls created by the denman*
-continue this process until entire head is completed.
the product combo i used is not necessary to yeild the same reults. i do recommend using a heavy moisturizing conditioner to be able to stand up to the gel. and heavier or stronger hold gels do work best for me when i use this technique. depending on your hair's needs, you can also incorporate oils or butters to provide extra moisture or seal your ends. to cut down on drying time, a diffuser or hooded dryer can be used.
to get the most out of this style, at bedtime pull the hair into a loose ponytail at the very top of the head (aka "pineapple"). sleep on a satin pillowcase. in the morning, take down the ponytail and refresh the look with the spritz of your choice (regular old water, water/glycerine combo, leave in conditioner spray, etc).
Saturday, January 10, 2009
3A perfect curl combo
i used california baby calming conditioner and curly hair solutions curl keeper to get these perfect ringlets.
its taken me a while to get the hang of curl keeper, but with her hair type the keys to getting good results with it are raking it through her hair and to use it sparingly.
here is what i did:
-start with clean wet hair.
-apply california baby calming conditioner and comb through hair to make sure that it is evenly distributed.
-put a small amount of curl keeper in palm of hand and then rub hands together. rake the product through with fingers, not a comb or brush.
*ive found that when i use too much curl keeper and/or comb it through her hair, it makes her hair straight. with a fine haired curly, start off with an amount that looks like its not going to be enough so you dont weigh the hair down and prevent it from curling*
-air dry
why i like california baby calming conditioner:
- its all natural/good ingredients
-its rich enough to moisturize her hair without weighing it down.
-does double duty, it can be used as a regular wash out conditioner AND a leave in
-easily accessable and decent price. its available at target and other stores that sell natural products.
why i like curly hair solutions curl keeper:
- ingedients (no parabens, no protein, no silicone)
- good price
- combats the frizz without making her hair look like it has product in it
-great shine
-doesnt need to be reapplied daily. can be refreshed by spritzing with water, detangling spray, etc.
click here to buy curl keeper:http://www.curlmart.com/Curly-Hair-Solutions-Curl-Keeper-p-28.html
Friday, January 9, 2009
where to start
i can credit 3 resources for the majority of the information i have learned on how to care for my curls:
1. http://www.naturallycurly.com/ the greatest website for curly hair EVER! there is alot of information over there so take your time and try not to be overwhelmed.
2. http://www.nappturality.com/ this is the first website i found on how to care for my hair. this site is a great resource on how to care for tightly coiled ethnic hair.
3. Curly Girl by Lorraine Massey. A good book that gives you the basics on how to care for curls.
1. http://www.naturallycurly.com/ the greatest website for curly hair EVER! there is alot of information over there so take your time and try not to be overwhelmed.
2. http://www.nappturality.com/ this is the first website i found on how to care for my hair. this site is a great resource on how to care for tightly coiled ethnic hair.
3. Curly Girl by Lorraine Massey. A good book that gives you the basics on how to care for curls.
welcome ladies and gentlemen
ive finally done it. ive created a blog.
to be honest, ive had this blog since 2007and never posted in it until this very moment due to fear. fear of what? fear of being another annoying person with a blog!ive been typing and deleting this paragraph for at least 15 minutes now because im not sure how to start this off.
so here we go...im in search for the perfect curl. and to be honest its not just me. its my daughter's and her father's hair as well. and i guess youre in on the search too if you're still here!let me tell you a little bit about myself and my family.ive been natural since 2003. ive been obsessed with learning about taking care of my hair ever since then. when i look back on some older pics i think "wow. my hair looked amazing!" since becoming a mom and having my priorities shift away from myself, ive had to change my hair routine to be alot less no fuss. and thats how i find myself, in search for the perfect curl (again).
i currently work at a salon. this is the beginning of my 2nd non consecutive year there. so im surrounded by hair at work too.
we have 3 different hair types (http://www.naturallycurly.com/hair-types) in our household and they go as follows:
me- classic 3 c. my strands are very fine and i dont have that many of them. my hair looks thick, but its not at all. dryness is my main issue.
the man- 2a/b. he has coarse, thick hair. his main hair issues are dryness and frizz.
the munchkin- still a mystery. very fine hair. with the right products shes a 3a. some days there seems to be almost no curls at all. her main hair issue is frizz.now that we have the basics out of the way, let's go in search of the perfect!enjoy. i know i will.
oh yeah, im no technical genius. so this blog will not have all the bells and whistles as other blogs. sorry folks.
to be honest, ive had this blog since 2007and never posted in it until this very moment due to fear. fear of what? fear of being another annoying person with a blog!ive been typing and deleting this paragraph for at least 15 minutes now because im not sure how to start this off.
so here we go...im in search for the perfect curl. and to be honest its not just me. its my daughter's and her father's hair as well. and i guess youre in on the search too if you're still here!let me tell you a little bit about myself and my family.ive been natural since 2003. ive been obsessed with learning about taking care of my hair ever since then. when i look back on some older pics i think "wow. my hair looked amazing!" since becoming a mom and having my priorities shift away from myself, ive had to change my hair routine to be alot less no fuss. and thats how i find myself, in search for the perfect curl (again).
i currently work at a salon. this is the beginning of my 2nd non consecutive year there. so im surrounded by hair at work too.
we have 3 different hair types (http://www.naturallycurly.com/hair-types) in our household and they go as follows:
me- classic 3 c. my strands are very fine and i dont have that many of them. my hair looks thick, but its not at all. dryness is my main issue.
the man- 2a/b. he has coarse, thick hair. his main hair issues are dryness and frizz.
the munchkin- still a mystery. very fine hair. with the right products shes a 3a. some days there seems to be almost no curls at all. her main hair issue is frizz.now that we have the basics out of the way, let's go in search of the perfect!enjoy. i know i will.
oh yeah, im no technical genius. so this blog will not have all the bells and whistles as other blogs. sorry folks.
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